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Driving Downhill
When off-roading takes you
downhill, consider:
• How steep is the downhill? Will I
be able to maintain vehicle
control?
• What is the surface like?
Smooth? Rough? Slippery?
Hard-packed dirt? Gravel?
• Are there hidden surface
obstacles? Ruts? Logs?
Boulders?
• What is at the bottom of the hill?
Is there a hidden creek bank or
even a river bottom with large
rocks?
If you decide you can go down a hill
safely, try to keep the vehicle
headed straight down. Use a low
gear so engine drag can help
the brakes so they do not have to
do all the work. Descend slowly,
keeping the vehicle under control at
all times.
{ CAUTION
Heavy braking when going down
a hill can cause your brakes to
overheat and fade. This could
cause loss of control and a
serious accident. Apply the brakes
lightly when descending a hill and
use a low gear to keep vehicle
speed under control.
Things not to do when driving down
a hill:
• When driving downhill, avoid
turns that take you across
the incline of the hill. A hill that
is not too steep to drive down
might be too steep to drive
across. The vehicle could
roll over.
• Never go downhill with the
transmission in N (Neutral), called
free-wheeling. The brakes will
have to do all the work and could
overheat and fade.
Vehicles are much more likely to
stall when going uphill, but if it
happens when going downhill:
1. Stop the vehicle by applying the
regular brakes and apply the
parking brake.
2. With an automatic transmission,
shift to P (Park). While still
braking, restart the engine.
3. Shift back to a low gear, release
the parking brake, and drive
straight down.
4. If the engine will not start, get
out and get help.
4-24 Driving Your Vehicle